William Jennings Bryan
(March 19, 1860-July 26, 1925)
Populist/Democratic Party
Background Information:
- Devout Protestant
- Educated at Illinois College in Jacksonville, and then studied law at Union Law School in Chicago
- Practiced law in Jacksonville for several years, before finally deciding to move to Nebraska
- Had a fancy for public speaking, which was one of his greatest assets in future years
- Heralded for his "cross of gold" speech
- Was a candidate for the Democratic Party, as well as the Populist Party in the 1896 Election
- Was a strong promoter of bimetallism and free silver
- Served as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson
- Fought for the "common man"
Views on Imperialism:
- Was against the U.S. annexing the Phillipines into the Union
- Supported a peace treaty, and hoped that a speedy conclusion to the war would provide Filipinos their independence
- Against the Republican administration's imperialistic policy
- Believed that annexation would deny the Filipinos of what America 100+ years earlier had fought for with Britain
- Believed that the Republican platform on a larger scale condemned the principles preached by Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
- The conquering of the Phillipines would help the rich in America, but greatly hurt the farmer and laboring worker; by bringing expenditure without return and risk without reward
(March 19, 1860-July 26, 1925)
Populist/Democratic Party
Background Information:
- Devout Protestant
- Educated at Illinois College in Jacksonville, and then studied law at Union Law School in Chicago
- Practiced law in Jacksonville for several years, before finally deciding to move to Nebraska
- Had a fancy for public speaking, which was one of his greatest assets in future years
- Heralded for his "cross of gold" speech
- Was a candidate for the Democratic Party, as well as the Populist Party in the 1896 Election
- Was a strong promoter of bimetallism and free silver
- Served as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson
- Fought for the "common man"
Views on Imperialism:
- Was against the U.S. annexing the Phillipines into the Union
- Supported a peace treaty, and hoped that a speedy conclusion to the war would provide Filipinos their independence
- Against the Republican administration's imperialistic policy
- Believed that annexation would deny the Filipinos of what America 100+ years earlier had fought for with Britain
- Believed that the Republican platform on a larger scale condemned the principles preached by Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
- The conquering of the Phillipines would help the rich in America, but greatly hurt the farmer and laboring worker; by bringing expenditure without return and risk without reward
References:
Mark Twain and Samuel Gompers
Primary Sources:
William Jennings Bryan " The Cross of Gold," Annals of American History.
<http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=386542>
[Accessed November 13, 2008].
Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention Held in Kansas City, Mo., July 4, 5, and 6, 1900, Chicago, 1900, pp. 205–227.Be
William Jennings Bryan " The Paralyzing Influence of Imperialism," Annals of American History.
<http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=386552>
[Accessed November 13, 2008].
Secondary Sources:
Edwards, Rebecca. "William Jennings Bryan." 1896: William Jennings Bryan. 2000. 13 Nov. 2008 <http://projects.vassar.edu/1896/bryan.html>.
"Politics and Public Service." William Jennings Bryan. Travel and History. 13 Nov. 2008 <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h805.html>.